With sound, simply because it is easier to turn the sound off than it is to add sound later.
That said, I cringe to spend the extra money to get sound.
However, I figure at $30 per decoder to add DCC to a DC model, it isn't that much more expensive to buy a DCC sound-equipped loco.
I do agree that your boss is missing the boat by not carrying both sound and non-sound models of the same locomotive.
Rich
Alton Junction
Graffen The numbers are not so accurate, because the peoples that says no to sound are often more inclined to answer in a thread like this, as opposed to those that have sound locos already...... And the number of people building big layouts with DC, blocks, sections and rotary switches etc. etc. must be real big as well?......... If I wasn't a DCC user already, I would be by now as I build a 22' x 15' layout....... Wich by the way will be full of sweet sounding locos!!
The numbers are not so accurate, because the peoples that says no to sound are often more inclined to answer in a thread like this, as opposed to those that have sound locos already......
And the number of people building big layouts with DC, blocks, sections and rotary switches etc. etc. must be real big as well?.........
If I wasn't a DCC user already, I would be by now as I build a 22' x 15' layout....... Wich by the way will be full of sweet sounding locos!!
Your first statement has no basis in fact, you have no way to know that.
Here in the USA, land of big basements, there are lots of people who have already BUILT big layouts controled with DC who have no plans to change to DCC - several of them responded to this thread.
I for one am still building a DC layout - with wireless radio throttles, full signaling - but NO rotary switches - don't assume all DC layouts are controled the same.
You like sound that's fine - I and others have already explained why we don't. Even if I decided to control my rains with DC, that would not change how I feel about onboard sound in HO.
Sheldon
richhotrain With sound, simply because it is easier to turn the sound off than it is to add sound later. That said, I cringe to spend the extra money to get sound. However, I figure at $30 per decoder to add DCC to a DC model, it isn't that much more expensive to buy a DCC sound-equipped loco. I do agree that your boss is missing the boat by not carrying both sound and non-sound models of the same locomotive. Rich
Lets face one simple fact - if you use DCC and you like sound, buying the loco with the sound decoder is likely your best move.
BUT there are still a lot of folks using DC, and they may well be the same folks that don't like sound. They have no reason to buy either a basic decoder or sound.
maxman ATLANTIC CENTRAL: maxman, As pointed out by doughless and myself, somewhere between 40% and 45% of the people who responed to this thread answered "no" to onboard sound and/or DCC. Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out. Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound. OVER 40% voted no. Sheldon Au contraire. The original post stated "when buying an expensive locomotive, say an Athearn Genesis..." If the hobby shop person is trying to decide whether to stock sound versus non-sound, why should he care what those who would never buy that loco think? I do think that the owner needs to make those decisions on a loco by loco basis, and after doing some sort of analysis of what his local clientele desires and what their buying habits are. If I, or you, were the owner, I don't believe that I would be making decisions based on the opinions of those who will never be my customers no matter what I sell.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: maxman, As pointed out by doughless and myself, somewhere between 40% and 45% of the people who responed to this thread answered "no" to onboard sound and/or DCC. Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out. Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound. OVER 40% voted no. Sheldon
maxman,
As pointed out by doughless and myself, somewhere between 40% and 45% of the people who responed to this thread answered "no" to onboard sound and/or DCC.
Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out.
Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound.
OVER 40% voted no.
Au contraire. The original post stated "when buying an expensive locomotive, say an Athearn Genesis..." If the hobby shop person is trying to decide whether to stock sound versus non-sound, why should he care what those who would never buy that loco think?
I do think that the owner needs to make those decisions on a loco by loco basis, and after doing some sort of analysis of what his local clientele desires and what their buying habits are. If I, or you, were the owner, I don't believe that I would be making decisions based on the opinions of those who will never be my customers no matter what I sell.
So you are ASSUMING people not interested in sound and still using DC don't buy Genesis or other high end locos? That would be a big mistake to assume.
That's what I buy, Athearn Genesis F units, Intermountain F uints, Proto2000, etc - ALL offered by their manufacturers in non sound DC versions - which I have over 100 of. Why do you think those companies still offer them? - they know it is still a big market.
I buy Bachmann Spectrum non sound DCC models and promtly remove the decoders and install the jumpers Bachmann provides. Look again at Bachmann's latest offering the EM1 - a big expensive loco that comes with basic DCC and a seperately sold module to add sound - they too understand the market.
When they have been offered, I have bought BLI products that do not have sound - the two BLI products I did buy with sound, I ONLY bought because I got them REALLY cheap - the sound and the DCC is now gone.
If walked into a hobby shop, and every loco had sound and DCC, I would not be walking out of there with a loco, that's for sure.
I have over 130 sound free, DCC free locos, most purchased in the last 10-12 years - How many sound/DCC locos do you have?
There is still a big market for DC - like I said, likely 40%, maybe more, of the market.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain: With sound, simply because it is easier to turn the sound off than it is to add sound later. That said, I cringe to spend the extra money to get sound. However, I figure at $30 per decoder to add DCC to a DC model, it isn't that much more expensive to buy a DCC sound-equipped loco. I do agree that your boss is missing the boat by not carrying both sound and non-sound models of the same locomotive. Rich Lets face one simple fact - if you use DCC and you like sound, buying the loco with the sound decoder is likely your best move. BUT there are still a lot of folks using DC, and they may well be the same folks that don't like sound. They have no reason to buy either a basic decoder or sound. Sheldon
richhotrain: With sound, simply because it is easier to turn the sound off than it is to add sound later. That said, I cringe to spend the extra money to get sound. However, I figure at $30 per decoder to add DCC to a DC model, it isn't that much more expensive to buy a DCC sound-equipped loco. I do agree that your boss is missing the boat by not carrying both sound and non-sound models of the same locomotive. Rich
Which is why the OP's boss is missing the boat by not carrying both sound (DCC) and non-sound (DC) models of the same locomotive.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL maxman: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out. Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound. OVER 40% voted no. Sheldon Au contraire. The original post stated "when buying an expensive locomotive, say an Athearn Genesis..." If the hobby shop person is trying to decide whether to stock sound versus non-sound, why should he care what those who would never buy that loco think? I do think that the owner needs to make those decisions on a loco by loco basis, and after doing some sort of analysis of what his local clientele desires and what their buying habits are. If I, or you, were the owner, I don't believe that I would be making decisions based on the opinions of those who will never be my customers no matter what I sell. So you are ASSUMING people not interested in sound and still using DC don't buy Genesis or other high end locos? That would be a big mistake to assume. That's what I buy, Athearn Genesis F units, Intermountain F uints, Proto2000, etc - ALL offered by their manufacturers in non sound DC versions - which I have over 100 of. Why do you think those companies still offer them? - they know it is still a big market. If walked into a hobby shop, and every loco had sound and DCC, I would not be walking out of there with a loco, that's for sure. I have over 130 sound free, DCC free locos, most purchased in the last 10-12 years - How many sound/DCC locos do you have? There is still a big market for DC - like I said, likely 40%, maybe more, of the market. Sheldon
maxman: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out. Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound. OVER 40% voted no. Sheldon Au contraire. The original post stated "when buying an expensive locomotive, say an Athearn Genesis..." If the hobby shop person is trying to decide whether to stock sound versus non-sound, why should he care what those who would never buy that loco think? I do think that the owner needs to make those decisions on a loco by loco basis, and after doing some sort of analysis of what his local clientele desires and what their buying habits are. If I, or you, were the owner, I don't believe that I would be making decisions based on the opinions of those who will never be my customers no matter what I sell.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Like myself, I suspect most of that 42.5% does not want to spend and extra $100 on electronics they will rip out. Those responses had nothing to do with a specific loco, era, etc. - it as a simple yes or no to sound. OVER 40% voted no. Sheldon
I was merely responding to your statement that the answers had nothing to do with a specific genre of locos. The question was specific, so in my opinion answers not relevant to that question are pretty much useless, especially when trying to do a survey.
As far as the rest goes, you apparently either did not read either of my posts. I said that I thought that there was a place for DC engines in the hobby store, similiar to the Atlas Silver Series and Master series offerings. I did not say that only DCC should be offered. However, if the choice comes down to one or the other, is the owner to satisfy the 60% for or the 40% against?
In addition, I also stated that the owner should make a decision based on his local clientele. Why should Ned in Nebraska care what Sheldon in Maryland or Eric Erie Widegage in Pennsylvania think?
Although you throw around that 40% number, what percentage of that 40% rip out the electronics after they've spent $250 upward for an engine? Pretty small percentage I'd guess. Regardless, again the shop owner needs to know his customers. If there is any assuming going on, it is you assuming that 40% of the OP's shop's customers are of similiar mind to you. That number could be 10%, or 90%. Neither of us knows that answer.
Finally, I have no desire to play the "my purchasing ability is more than yours" game with you. I'm surprised, and disappointed, that you would even bring that up. I'm happy that you have 130 plus locos that you are able to run in that fancy location over your garage. But my purchasing habits, my ability to pay for that habit, and the limited space I have to play with my trains should be of no concern to you. However, if you must know, I indulged myself yesterday at the Timonium show because my birthday is coming up. I bought a loco that I cannot run at home (only at the club), is steam which I really don't have any interest in, and is of an era which I can't relate to. It has DCC and sound. I paid $360 for the thing. It will be my only locomotive purchase of any type this year. So if you like percentages, 100% of my expensive locomotive purchases are with DCC and sound.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Graffen: The numbers are not so accurate, because the peoples that says no to sound are often more inclined to answer in a thread like this, as opposed to those that have sound locos already...... And the number of people building big layouts with DC, blocks, sections and rotary switches etc. etc. must be real big as well?......... If I wasn't a DCC user already, I would be by now as I build a 22' x 15' layout....... Wich by the way will be full of sweet sounding locos!! Your first statement has no basis in fact, you have no way to know that. Sheldon
Graffen: The numbers are not so accurate, because the peoples that says no to sound are often more inclined to answer in a thread like this, as opposed to those that have sound locos already...... And the number of people building big layouts with DC, blocks, sections and rotary switches etc. etc. must be real big as well?......... If I wasn't a DCC user already, I would be by now as I build a 22' x 15' layout....... Wich by the way will be full of sweet sounding locos!!
Well, that was to make a point that neither does anyone else! .......... Every time this debate comes up, there are the same battle all day long, and no REAL evidence! Sound is nice-sound stinks- DCC sucks-DC stinks.... It doesn't matter, as long as the suppliers can sell their stuff.
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
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Graffen Every time this debate comes up, there are the same battle all day long, and no REAL evidence! Sound is nice-sound stinks- DCC sucks-DC stinks.... It doesn't matter, as long as the suppliers can sell their stuff.
Every time this debate comes up, there are the same battle all day long, and no REAL evidence! Sound is nice-sound stinks- DCC sucks-DC stinks.... It doesn't matter, as long as the suppliers can sell their stuff.
Well, the OP started this thread by asking who prefers sound and who does not. He is looking for a majority opinion, and he will find it by tallying up the number of those who prefer sound and those who don't.
If any business owner makes an important decision based on this small sample of modelers that have no relevance to their market, they are nuts.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
And the beat(ing) goes on.....
...and the beat(ing) goes on. [Remember that song from the 60's?]
Our members who post regularly constitute a very tiny sample, if somewhat random, of self-selected responders to all the various questions posed by people looking for guidance or facts. All an asker should take from replies is a somewhat biased set of assumptions and preferences when each of us says what we think. He should not assume we are in any way representative of the greater majority of participants in the hobby.
From the responses so far, some like sound in their locomotives, some don't. What should he take from that? Well, if it were me, I would make it a point to try out some silent running and some sound running, make sure I had some locomotives that were not set to factory defaults, particularly on that silly industry choice of maximum volume setting, and I would make up my own mind....because I would understand that the choice is based on highly subjective and personally identified and weigthed criteria.
Crandell
TA462 The loco's I regularly operate on my layout don't have sound but most of my loco's in my collection do. Sound is a funny thing, its kind of cool to see a sound loco running at shows and they are fun to show off with but when I'm alone in the basement I don't use it. Weird eh, lol.
The loco's I regularly operate on my layout don't have sound but most of my loco's in my collection do. Sound is a funny thing, its kind of cool to see a sound loco running at shows and they are fun to show off with but when I'm alone in the basement I don't use it. Weird eh, lol.
And I go the other way. I have a test track layout in the basement with O27, S, HO and run the O27 and the S with sound - the HO has no sound but I run it anyway.
Just for fun the O27 uses AC, the HO DC, and The S DCC.
Guess I have a foot in all the camps.
It's all Fun.
Paul
Maxman,
My point about how many locos you might have vs me was not personal, but it was to make a simple point.
Just because a person has not imbraced DCC and/or sound, does not mean they don't spend a lot on the hobby - or on locomotives.
And as you response demenstrates, maybe I to will only spend $300 on locos this year as well - but I will buy two or three locos without sound/DCC. My local shop has stacks of Spectrum non sound locos in the $100 to $200 price range.
So, ALL OTHER FACTORS being equal (which we know they are not) it is possible a shop should be carrying AT LEAST AS MANY non sound locos as those with sound/DCC.
I agree we cannot know the demographics of the shop in question. Fact remains, base on my exposure to this hobby and the hobbiests in it, DCC and sound are still a long way from being universally accepted.
BNSFnut57 When buying an expensive locomotive, say a Athearn Genesis, Do you Prefer to purchase with sound, or without models?Everyone has there own opinion and I am curious to find out what the majority of Modelers think. Just a Simple With or Without is all I need.
When buying an expensive locomotive, say a Athearn Genesis, Do you Prefer to purchase with sound, or without models?Everyone has there own opinion and I am curious to find out what the majority of Modelers think.
Just a Simple With or Without is all I need.
If the OP is still around..
As someone pointed out, you mention expensive (perhaps meaning detailed and smooth running) locomotives like and Athearn Genesis (or Atlas, or Proto)
I only run 4 axle diesels and don't usually buy Athearn. I would only buy a Genesis GP15, GP7/9 or F-unit without sound. The Atlas and Proto products I regularly buy, and I buy them without sound.
While price is always a consideration, I go without sound because I do not want it, not necessarily because the nonsound locomotive is cheaper.
Its not like I want sound unit, but just settle for a nonsound unit because it is cheaper.
So, your boss is mistaken a bit if he thinks that, because all locomotives are getting to be expensive, he needs to fully-feature-load his inventory with sound units. I don't think price is the big issue with those who do not want sound.
- Douglas
Without...but I like sound. Let me elaborate.
When Atlas first released their GP38s and GP40s with sound I bought numerous undecs. Like many projects they sat on the shelf for a couple of years before my attention turned to them. By then the Tsunami had just come out, and when I compared a Tsunami to the Geeps with the early QSI I was quite disappointed.
Since sound will continue to evolve I've made most loco purchases since that time without sound, with the intent to add the most current decoder when I'm ready to take the loco out of storage and put it into service. I'd rather not have to pay for sound twice!
It amazes me to the extent that some old modelers will try to convince themselves that their way is the only way. The OP simply asked "with" or "without", he didn't ask for some worthless dialoge about why the "withs" should really not like sound because "fill in the blank" reasons.
I don't give a darn about what some ornery old coot thinks, no matter how hard he tries to show me the light.
"WITH"
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
TA462 ATLANTIC CENTRAL: I agree we cannot know the demographics of the shop in question. Fact remains, base on my exposure to this hobby and the hobbiests in it, DCC and sound are still a long way from being universally accepted. Sheldon Sheldon, the people I hang around with and all the clubs I know of within a 100 mile radius of me all use DCC and most new locomotive purchases from these guys either have sound or will have sound added. Where I live it is universally accepted and has been for years.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: I agree we cannot know the demographics of the shop in question. Fact remains, base on my exposure to this hobby and the hobbiests in it, DCC and sound are still a long way from being universally accepted. Sheldon
Sheldon, the people I hang around with and all the clubs I know of within a 100 mile radius of me all use DCC and most new locomotive purchases from these guys either have sound or will have sound added. Where I live it is universally accepted and has been for years.
That very well might be the case where you are, or it could just be your "social circle" of modelers.
I don't belong to or hang out at any clubs, but I know a lot of modelers and about a half dozen shop owners - DC layouts and quiet locos are still common around here.
Yes, most all new people are interested in DCC and/or sound. And many older modelers have converted to DCC and many of those want/have sound.
BUT, this is an area with a very strong model railroad presence, some of the largest NMRA membership numbers, etc., and lots of long established modelers, many have not switched and don't plan too. Last I was at several of the older clubs, clubs that are 40, 50 years old, there were no plans to install DCC.
Several of the shop owners I know seem to think that conversion by existing modelers seems to have all but stopped. Again, yes, new people are mostly going DCC.
I belong to a local round robin group - not a club - a large percentage of our members are now DCC - but far from all.
The fact remains that most all of the manufacturers are still making DC non sound models and have shown no indication of stopping.
Even MTH was pressured by the market to offer DC versions. One local shop by me, who is a big MTH dealer in O gauge, told me he has not been able to sell any MTH HO locos to speak of because of the control "issues". One of the few he sold was promptly returned.
BLI seems the only one committed to 100% DCC for the moment, but that changes every six months, not they are likely to get much of my money anymore.
In fact Bachmann has again reinforced the idea of total choice - DCC, DCC with sound, or DC with all their latest offerings. The fact that they introduced the EM1 without sound, and while different from previous models, still easily converted back to DC, and sound only being offered as a retrofit, not factory installed, clearly shows they think all three markets deserve attention.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL BLI seems the only one committed to 100% DCC for the moment, but that changes every six months, not they are likely to get much of my money anymore.
BLI's Blue Line has been available for years. They are DC sound locomotives. A couple of years ago they released the "Stealth Series" DC only, no sound. They no longer make this line of locomotives and have not been releasing newer models in the Stealth range. Not sure of their reasoning, but presumably they were not big sellers and deemed not worth continuing. Hard to believe that they would drop the line if it was profitable?
simon1966 ATLANTIC CENTRAL: BLI seems the only one committed to 100% DCC for the moment, but that changes every six months, not they are likely to get much of my money anymore. BLI's Blue Line has been available for years. They are DC sound locomotives. A couple of years ago they released the "Stealth Series" DC only, no sound. They no longer make this line of locomotives and have not been releasing newer models in the Stealth range. Not sure of their reasoning, but presumably they were not big sellers and deemed not worth continuing. Hard to believe that they would drop the line if it was profitable?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: BLI seems the only one committed to 100% DCC for the moment, but that changes every six months, not they are likely to get much of my money anymore.
I am well aware of the entire history of offerings from BLI/PCM. They have been their own worst enemy on this issue.
In the begining they offered ONLY DCC with sound, then added the "stealth" line, then dropped that in favor of the "Blue Line", then reintroduced a few "stealth" models.
I have a number of their "stealth" offerings and one Blue Line that has since "lost" its sound board.
Fact is their own inconsistancy on the issue leaves DC modelers simply not lookng at them as a source. I know I don't.
TA462,
One additional thought or explaination - it could be there is a whole group of hundreds or thousands of lone wolf DC modelers all around you? How would you know? Not everyone likes clubs.
I know that to be a fact around here, and I know that the "social types" are almost all into DCC.
If you know the history so well, why say "They are 100% DCC for the moment" when they are not?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Fact is their own inconsistancy on the issue leaves DC modelers simply not lookng at them as a source. I know I don't.
That is not a fact, it is your opinion. Not only that, but how can you say that DC modellers as a group no longer consider them a source? Just because you don't, and your active circle does not, can't be extrapolated to the entire market. You assumption/opinion may actually be right, but it can hardly be stated as a fact.
As it happens, I would agree that there is still a very large market for DC locomotives. Not only are there all the DC modelers out there, but there are a lot of DCC guys, me included, that like to buy a DC model and put in our own after market DCC decoders. There are companies whose entire business model is dependent on folks converting DC to DCC, and its not just old models.
MY LHS, which has both a large DCC and DC layouts has I would guess about 50-50 DCC/Sound and DC models. I see plenty of both getting purchased.
I am in the DCC - no sound group. I run all diesel and am not impressed with the tinny diesel sounds. I imagine many of the young'uns haven't spent much time line side hearing and feeling the sounds of diesels. I can understand those running steam liking it as most of the sounds are in the midrange spectrum which the small speakers can more adquately reproduce.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
ATLANTIC CENTRAL TA462, One additional thought or explaination - it could be there is a whole group of hundreds or thousands of lone wolf DC modelers all around you? How would you know? Not everyone likes clubs. I know that to be a fact around here, and I know that the "social types" are almost all into DCC. Sheldon
That's an intriguing statement. I never really thought about DC users being less social and DCC users being more social.
Jarrell
Yeah, I am 'bout as antisocial as they come, and I am a diehard sound guy. Okay, I'm weird.
simon1966 If you know the history so well, why say "They are 100% DCC for the moment" when they are not? ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Fact is their own inconsistancy on the issue leaves DC modelers simply not lookng at them as a source. I know I don't. That is not a fact, it is your opinion. Not only that, but how can you say that DC modellers as a group no longer consider them a source? Just because you don't, and your active circle does not, can't be extrapolated to the entire market. You assumption/opinion may actually be right, but it can hardly be stated as a fact. As it happens, I would agree that there is still a very large market for DC locomotives. Not only are there all the DC modelers out there, but there are a lot of DCC guys, me included, that like to buy a DC model and put in our own after market DCC decoders. There are companies whose entire business model is dependent on folks converting DC to DCC, and its not just old models. MY LHS, which has both a large DCC and DC layouts has I would guess about 50-50 DCC/Sound and DC models. I see plenty of both getting purchased.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Fact is their own inconsistancy on the issue leaves DC modelers simply not lookng at them as a source. I know I don't.
BLI currently has no new BlueLine products planned, no new stealth products planned and only one BlueLine product scheduled for possible re-run.
I don't know how much they still have on the shelves, but that does not sound like a DC or non sound future to me.
jacon12 ATLANTIC CENTRAL: TA462, One additional thought or explaination - it could be there is a whole group of hundreds or thousands of lone wolf DC modelers all around you? How would you know? Not everyone likes clubs. I know that to be a fact around here, and I know that the "social types" are almost all into DCC. Sheldon That's an intriguing statement. I never really thought about DC users being less social and DCC users being more social. Jarrell
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: TA462, One additional thought or explaination - it could be there is a whole group of hundreds or thousands of lone wolf DC modelers all around you? How would you know? Not everyone likes clubs. I know that to be a fact around here, and I know that the "social types" are almost all into DCC. Sheldon
There are lots of lone wolves out there, I'm sure using every manner of control and sound preference. Point is that the people you "know" from clubs or social activities in the hobby only represent half or less of the active modelers.
Well, after all is said and done about sound vs. non-sound, my 'under-table' MaxxTraxx unit went KA-BLOOEY! last week for some strange reason (it's no longer produced, BTW), and after two days of 'quiet', I dragged out my only sound steamer, my BLI AC-5 cab forward and I've been running the pants off of the little dear for the past 5 days, LOL!
Luckily, the MaxxTraxx CAN be repaired, and it's currently on its way to Flagstaff, AZ for resuscitation.
I'll be serious, I didn't think I'd miss sound that much. But after several days of quiet Yellowstones, I was climbing the walls. Even that little bitty speaker in the tender of the AC-5 sounds better than the quiet whirr of gearboxes.
So it should be back in a couple of weeks. To celebrate it's pending 're-birth', I went out and bought a couple of additional speakers to add to the layout when it gets back. And yes, I was assured that the MaxxTraxx can handle them.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I have diesels with and without sound, but all are DCC. Now as to the comment about old coots, I happen to like sound, but have a problem, because I wear hearing aids (old coots like me wear those a lot) so I don't run the sound much when by myself. When I have an operating session or am on tour for NMRA functions, I let the sound run. But I do find the sound annoying through the hearing aids, so I run silent most of the itme by myself.
Personally I don't care what you youngsters do, but I do have to laugh knowing that some day you too will be "old coots" with hearing problems, and probably some other things also. Can't say I like your attitude, and I will hope I never have you visit on a tour.
Bob Miller, MMR
Two of my models have sound decoders, and I wanted it that way I'd have liked a better sound unit in my Q2, and one day I'll make that happen, but I still enjoy the model with the sound all the same.
Alvi
With sound - one of the reasons I went to DCC is sound. Gotta say, I can't think of a local layout that doesn't have sound, most are also DCC as well. Most of the OPs guys went DCC and sound years ago.....
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Ahhhhh..... that wonderful Function 8 button. Press once sound off, too quiet or tired of going TOOT TOOT at grade crossings... press again, sound on.
There are times when I like my engines sound on and there are times when running without it is just fine, but I like having the option.
Things I understand:
If I'd been in the hobby since a wee lad and my layout was DC and I had a huge collection of 'silent' engines I can see why I wouldn't want to start over with DCC and sound.
People who wear hearing aids, I have a couple of friends that do, find the sounds a bit more annoying/uncomfortable than those that don't wear them.
I get it.